From Our Editors

When bartender Larry Raikes moved from Buffalo, New York, to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1982, he couldn't find a single sub—so he stopped mixing drinks and started making his own sandwiches. From that single sub shop, Larry's Giant Subs has mushroomed into an international fount of sandwiches. For each order, sandwich-makers pair provolone cheese with black Angus USDA–choice extra-lean roast beef, 98% fat-free ham, or other meats displayed in a 6-foot deli case. They also pile slices of all-natural, charcoal-grilled chicken breasts onto their signature bread, which is shipped in daily from Costanzo's Bakery in Buffalo.

Inside the shop, a huge statue of King Kong—the shop's mascot—towers over guests, secretly helping young diners to make their sandwich selection in exchange for bananas, and New York–theme memorabilia serves to remind them of their subs' heritage. For hosts and hostesses supplying their own ambiance, Larry's Giant Subs caters platters, 3-foot subs, and 6-footers that feed up to 30 people.